Hubs had a silver cup given to him when he was an infant, and his parents sent it to our home when Red was born. Hubs’ Granddaddy and Grandmartha (who I absolutely LOVE to pieces) sent us Hub’s father, Papa Mel’s baby cup, also silver with a little blue ribbon around the handle.
Nonna was shopping around and found a little cup with a bear shaped handle that she send Red for an early birthday present. I took it to our favorite Atlanta jewelers to have his initials put on the side. Now it matches Hub’s little cup. All three are displayed in Red’s room on a special shelf.
Baby keepsakes: they are traditionally silver, with a cup given to a boy, and perhaps a silver spoon or rattle given to a girl. But have you ever thought about WHY we do this?
It’s actually a tradition dating back to just before colonial times. Silversmiths created rattles and small toys out of silver because clay and wooden toys broke so easily. The metal became quite fashionable as well as safe for babies to play with and chew on.
Silver spoons are more popular in Europe. The saying, “born with a silver spoon in his mouth” came from the idea of health, not necessarily wealth. Silver has toxic effects on bacteria without the harmful effects of other metals, such as mercury. Silver coins were put into milk bottles in the 1800s, silver oxides used as antibiotic creams in WWII, and it has been used for purification for many years.
Thus, babies who had silver cups and spoons were in better health than their less fortunate neighbors. As silver plated technology came around, these items became less expensive. With inexpensive modern soaps, plastics and anti-microbials, silver is now looked upon as a luxury.
So, when you give a baby a silver spoon or a cup, you are wishing them the healthiest life possible! Does your little one have a silver keepsake? Tell me about it in the comment section!
Gavin received a silver spoon and fork from his great granny. 4 Generations!
So interesting! Never knew this! DS was given a Ty Beany Baby bear holding a bag in it a silver spoon. I love it. It’s sitting on a shelf displayed next to his books! PS I found the puzzles at my local BRU!!!
Yay! I am so glad to hear others have these little things. Red has a spoon that was my Dad’s when he was little. We gave him the ceremonial first bite of food with it. Maybe I’ll let him swirl around his birthday cake, too! 😉